Road rage (update) 05-20-11

Media Release

A 54 year-old Puna man was charged for attempted murder and other offenses following an apparent “road rage” incident that occurred in Puna on Wednesday. (May 18, 2011)

David Dean Woodward of Hawaiian Paradise Park was arrested and charged for attempted murder in the first degree, two counts of attempted murder in the second degree, criminal property damage in the first degree, reckless driving, and harassment. Bail for Woodward was set at $350,750.00. He remains in police custody at the East Hawaii Detention Center pending his initial court appearance on Monday (May 23, 2011.)

The charges stem from a report police received on Wednesday around 7:49 a.m. of what initially appeared to be a traffic collision on Makuʻu Drive at the Route 130 (Keaʻau/Pāhoa Highway) intersection. Police received numerous reports from passing motorists that prior to the collision, the occupants of a blue Chevrolet Equinox had been arguing with the driver of an early model blue BMW sedan and it appeared that one of the vehicles intentionally rammed the other, forcing it off the roadway and into a guardrail.

The 47-year-old driver of the Chevrolet and his 17-year-old son were injured but declined medical treatment. The 54-year-old driver of the BMW sustained minor injuries and was taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment.

Police learned that the Chevrolet was traveling up Makuʻu Drive when the BMW passed it on the left. This action apparently was followed by aggressive behavior by an occupant of the Chevrolet. The driver in the BMW allegedly made a U-turn and intentionally rammed his car into the driver’s side of the Chevrolet.

The 17-year-old occupant of the Chevrolet was arrested for criminal property damage but was released pending additional investigation.

The driver of the BMW, David Woodward of Keaʻau, was initially arrested for first-degree criminal property damage once he was discharged from the hospital.

Police are asking that anyone who witnessed the incident on Makuʻu Drive as well as the collision to call Detective Wendell Carter of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808)961-2378. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.